Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023
Top 10 teams in classes 3A-A
Here is a closer look at our top 10 teams in classes 3A to A. See the complete rankings in all classes on our website.
Class 3A
1. Cedar Grove (11-3)
The Saints have reached the finals five of the past seven seasons, winning four. They graduated six major Division I prospects and return only one in the senior class (CB Lakhi Roland). They do have three-year starting QB Elliott Colson, a junior committed to Central Florida. Cedar Grove lost to Sandy Creek 21-17 in the 2022 final.
2. Calvary Day (11-1)
QB Jake Merklinger (Auburn) and TE Michael Smith (South Carolina) lead a team that returns its leading passer, rusher and receiver and six of its top seven tacklers. Calvary lost to Cedar Grove 30-0 in the 2022 quarterfinals.
3. Carver (Atlanta) (9-4)
Carver has made the quarters, finals and semifinals the past three seasons. The Panthers graduated their leading passer, rusher and receiver but brought back eight of their top 11 tacklers, who include DB Rodrick Hunter (Akron) and DL/LB Jamontez Hines (14 sacks). Carver lost to Sandy Creek 49-14 in the 2022 semifinals.
4. Thomasville (9-4)
QB Cam Hill passed for 1,529 yards as a freshman last season. Also back are leading rusher Jay Randall and leading receiver Cole Shaw. Thomasville lost to Carver (Atlanta) 28-23 in the 2022 quarterfinals.
5. Stephens County (9-3)
RB Javin Gordon (1,017 yards rushing) will be the feature back in the offense. Also outstanding are preseason all-state DE Aidan Butts and WR/DB Jasec Smith. Stephens County lost to Sandy Creek 20-7 in the 2022 second round.
6. Sandy Creek (13-2)
Only five starters return for the defending champions, and gone is 3A offensive player of the year QB Geimere Latimer. Players to watch are RB Amari Latimer, who rushed for 648 yards as a freshman, and WR/DB Dalen Peoson, a state triple jump champion.
7. Oconee County (9-5)
Graduation hit hard, but the Warriors have made the semifinals or better three of the past four seasons. Mac Ricks (926 yards passing, 742 rushing) returns to QB. Oconee County lost to Cedar Grove 23-0 in the 2022 semifinals.
8. Savannah Christian (11-2)
DL Elijah Griffin is the state’s top junior prospect. LB/WR David Bucey (South Carolina) had more than 1,000 all-purpose yards and five interceptions. TE/DE Logan Brooking has more than 30 offers. RB Zo Smalls had more than 1,700 all-purpose yards. The Raiders lost to Sandy Creek 51-21 in the 2022 quarterfinals.
9. Monroe Area (6-6)
Seven of the Hurricanes’ 11 leading tacklers were underclassmen last season. They include DB/WR Russ Hunley and DB/WR Blake Raffield. OL Max Thurston made preseason all-state. Monroe Area lost to Carver (Atlanta) 30-18 in the 2022 second round.
10. Carver (Columbus) (9-3)
Carver graduated its leading passer, rusher and receiver and top three tacklers off a team that lost to Oconee County 14-6 in the 2022 quarterfinals.
 
Class 2A
1. Fitzgerald (14-1)
The Purple Hurricane has reached the finals the past three seasons, winning in 2021. OL Gabe Pearce and DL Roderick Morgan are preseason all-state. Fitzgerald lost to Thomson 32-27 in the 2022 final.
2. Appling County (11-2)
Junior QB Dayson Griffis has led the Pirates to the semifinals as a freshman and a sophomore. Appling County lost to Thomson 20-14 in the 2022 semis.
3. Thomson (14-1)
The defending champions must replace 2A offensive player of the year Jontavis Curry. They return another 1,000-yard rusher, Anthony Jeffery, both of their rotating quarterbacks and all-state CB Storm Hunt.
4. Callaway (9-4)
The Cavaliers have reached seven consecutive quarterfinals and won 2A in 2020. They’re always good at the skill positions, and JoJo Shuman and Cameron Gunn are all-state caliber linemen. Callaway lost to Appling County 44-21 in the 2022 quarterfinals.
5. Fellowship Christian (10-4)
QB Caleb McMickle is off to Houston, but Fellowship returns its leading rusher, C.J. Givers, and receiver, Josh Milhollin. Three of their eight leading tacklers last year were freshmen. Fellowship lost to Fitzgerald 19-9 in the 2022 semifinals.
6. Pierce County (11-2)
Pierce County has made the quarterfinals or better four of the past five seasons, thought it must replace one of the great players in its history, QB/RB D.J. Bell. Pierce lost to Fellowship Christian 40-22 in the 2022 quarterfinals.
7. Eagle’s Landing Christian (7-5)
Ranked No. 1 in preseason, ELCA failed to reach the quarterfinals last year for the first time since 2009. Brandon Hood, lost to injury last season, should lead a resurgence. ELCA lost to Fellowship Christian 26-15 in the 2022 second round.
8. Rockmart (10-3)
Rockmart won its sixth straight region title last season and lost in overtime to Fitzgerald 21-14 in the quarterfinals. Preseason all-state LB/RB Brent Washington had more than 100 tackles and 471 rushing yards.
9. Cook (8-4)
QB Drew Folsom is a three-year starter. RB Keshun McKevin rushed for 1,247 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Cook lost to Thomson 42-10 in the 2022 second round.
10. Northeast (8-4)
Nick Woodford rushed for 2,728 yards as a sophomore. Northeast lost to Appling County 35-13 in the 2022 second round.
Class A Division I
1. Prince Avenue Christian (14-0)
AJC Super 11 QB Aaron Philo (Georgia Tech) returns to the defending champions, but he’ll need replacements for three 1,000-yard receivers who graduated.
2. Swainsboro (13-1)
AJC Super 11 RB/DB Demello Jones (Georgia) and Qindarius Brown are back for the Class A Division I runner-up. Each rushed for more than 1,200 yards.
3. Irwin County (11-2)
The Indians will miss three-year starting QB Cody Soliday, but they’ve replaced players before while making the semifinals or better 10 of the past 11 seasons. They lost to Swainsboro 22-21 in the 2022 semifinals.
4. Rabun County (12-1)
Rabun lost to Swainsboro 35-10 in the 2022 quarterfinals, the program’s eighth consecutive trip to the elite eight or better. New starting QB Ty Truelove, a sophomore, has “got a chance to be special,” coach Charles Davis said.
5. Brooks County (7-3)
Javen Watts takes over for star QB Jamal Sanders. RB Chris Cole (800 yards rushing) will be a workhorse. The Trojans lost in the first round to Bleckley County 14-10 last season.
6. Metter (9-4)
New coach Lee Shaw inherits a good situation. The Tigers have made the quarterfinals or better for four straight seasons, each ending in region titles. They lost to Prince Avenue Christian 23-7 in the 2022 quarters.
7. Bleckley County (10-3)
The Royals’ 21-4 record is their best two-year run in school history. WR Marcus Newson, a three-year starter, is a player to watch. Bleckley lost to St. Francis 37-21 in the 2022 quarterfinals.
8. Elbert County (10-2)
The Blue Devils got their first 10-win season and playoff victory in five years last season. Jayvyn Hickman, a dual-threat junior QB, will be one of this classification’s best at his position. Elbert lost to Prince Avenue 48-14 in the 2022 second round.
9. Lamar County (10-2)
The Trojans graduated the best player in their history. current Georgia LB C.J. Allen, but have a wealth of good linemen in Noah Maurice, Trace Morton, Daylen Cauthen and heavyweight wrestling champion Clint Williamson. Lamar lost to Bleckley County 27-23 in the 2022 second round.
10. Trion (9-3)
RB/DB Toby Maddux (1,885 all-purpose yards, four interceptions), QB Kade Smith (1,757 passing yards) and preseason all-state OL Ezra Adams power the Bulldogs’ chances. They lost to St. Francis 34-20 in the 2022 second round.
 
Class A Division II
1. Bowdon (14-1)
QB Robert McNeal and RB T.J. Harvison accounted for more than 80% of Bowdon’s offense last season, but the reigning champion’s coach, Rich Fendley, believes the Red Devils have skill-position depth to replenish and contend again.
2. Schley County (12-3)
The Wildcats’ trio of QB Jay Kanazawa, WR/DB Jalewis Solomon and LB/RB Zayden Walker is unmatched in this division. They’re after their school’s first state title.
3. Clinch County (10-3)
QB Keegan Clayton (1,551 yards passing, 1,008 rushing) and three of the leading four defenders are back. Clinch lost to Johnson County 36-21 in 2022 quarterfinals.
4. Lincoln County (10-3)
RB Semaj Jenkins (1,002 yards rushing) will be the feature piece of the offense. LB Christian Crite was the leading tackler as a sophomore, Lincoln County lost to Bowdon 45-28 in 2022 semifinals.
5. Manchester (7-4)
The Blue Devils have Quavion Cooper and Anthony Bartholomew, both 1,000-yard rushers, and DL Justus Terry, a five-star defensive lineman committed to Georgia. Manchester lost to Bowdon 42-21 in 2022 second round.
6. Early County (9-4)
Early County promoted its offensive coordinator, Frank Killingsworth, to head coach and shouldn’t miss a step. DL B’Anthony Wade is a returning all-state player. The Bobcats lost to Bowdon 36-26 in the 2022 quarterfinals.
7. Johnson County (13-1)
Johnson County is moving on without graduated Germivy Tucker, who rushed for a state-leading 2,918 yards last season. LB Josh Taylor is a returning all-state player. Johnson County lost to Schley County 35-6 in the 2022 semifinals.
8. McIntosh County Academy (10-2)
The yardage leaders graduated, but the Buccaneers had five sophomore regulars on defense last year. MCA lost to Clinch County 17-16 in the 2022 second round.
9. Charlton County (8-3)
Two-time 1,000-yard rusher Jaylen Lilley has moved on, and a rugged pre-region schedule awaits a young team. Charlton lost to Dooly County 14-13 in the 2022 second round.
10. Wilcox County (9-4)
QB Ben Stowe is a big loss. All-state WR B.J. Gibson (Florida State) is a big returnee. Wilcox lost in the 2022 quarterfinals to Schley County 55-23.
Class A Division I
*Best player: Demello Jones, Swainsboro. Jones (left) had more than 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 27 touchdowns on offense and 44 tackles on defense for the state runner-up last season. He’s also an all-state basketball player.
 
*Best position: Athlete. Jones is the best of many top Class A Division I players that go two ways. Rabun County’s Willie Goodwyn (WR/DB), Heard County’s L.J. Green (WR/DB) and Trion’s Toby Maddux (DB/RB) are others. Probably more than half this team are two-way starters.
 
*Most highly recruited: Jones is the consensus No. 78 prospect nationally and No. 4 safety. He’s committed to Georgia.
 
*That’s interesting: Two things. One, Dublin’s 6-5, 290-pound Nasir Johnson should get a Division I offer based on this highlight alone. In fact, he probably did. He’s committed to Florida. Two, Jaiden Daniels’ nickname is Baby Goat. The Commerce Comet would work too, but Baby Goat is fine. He has rushed for 2,931 yards in two seasons.
 
*Snubbed: Metter OLB Allen Williams, Elbert County TE Brady Dickerson and LB Jermain Sims are really good juniors on top-10 teams.
 
*Underrated: Off the radar describes far-away Dade County, but the Wolverines have made consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in history, and Landon Williams is a chief reason for the uptick. The linebacker is a two-time state champion wrestler who last season had 20.5 tackles for losses, five sacks and 453 yards rushing and was the lead blocker on most running plays as a fullback/H-back.
 
*What else is news: St. Francis players who likely would’ve been preseason all-state have transferred. QB Jaiden Jenkins is at Parkview, DB Cam Robinson is at Norcross, and DL JaQuinton Madison is at Alpharetta.
 
Offense
QB - Aaron Philo, Prince Avenue Christian, Sr.
QB - Sam Nazarian, Mount Vernon, Sr.
RB - Jaiden Daniels, Commerce, Jr.
RB - Jake Turner, Oglethorpe County, Sr.
WR - Jonathan Gallinaro, Mount Vernon, Sr.
WR - L.J. Green, Heard County, Sr.
TE - Nick Hurley, Prince Avenue Christian, Sr.
OL - Austin Head, Prince Avenue Christian, Sr.
OL - Jack Hood, Rabun County, Sr.
OL - Sammy Holliday, Heard County, Sr.
OL - Kason Palmer, Swainsboro, Sr.
OL - Noah Maurice, Lamar County, Sr.
ATH - Demello Jones, Swainsboro, Sr.
K - Andy Ramirez, Trion, Jr.
 
Defense
DL - Ezra Adams, Trion, Sr.
DL - Christian Garrett, Prince Avenue Christian, Jr.
DL - Nasir Johnson, Dublin, Sr.
DL - Michael Joiner, Irwin County, Sr.
LB - Mac Bradley, Prince Avenue Christian, Sr.
LB - Jerrod Steward, Swainsboro, Sr.
LB - Ulysses Tomblin, Irwin County, Sr.
LB - Landon Williams, Dade County, Sr.
DB - Tanner Ennis, Bryan County, Sr.
DB - Willie Goodwyn, Rabun County, Sr.
DB - Toby Maddux, Trion, Sr.
DB - Talan Shirey, Darlington, Sr.
P - Tyler Denny, Prince Avenue Christian, Sr.

Coming Wednesday: Class A Division II
Kell quarterback Bryce Clavon is a potential first-round pick in the MLB Draft next year. Which 2022 Georgia high school quarterback was a first-round MLB Draft pick? (Answer Wednesday)
 
Answer to Monday’s question: Prior to Buford's three five-star seniors (Dylan Raiola, Eddrick Houston, K.J. Bolden), the only 247Composite five-star Georgia teammates from the same class were Grayson's Owen Pappoe and Wanya Morris for 2019. Both went in the 2023 NFL Draft.

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Westminster's Carson Wilkie, the state's No. 1 senior punter in the Kohl's Kicking rankings, averaged 39.2 yards last season, with 23 downed insided the 20-yard-line. (Hudl photo)
Specialists among nation's best
This is the last in a series of 10 feature articles that recognize the state’s best players by position. They are chosen based primarily on high school production, though college potential also is considered. These players are members of GHSF Daily’s Georgia Power 100.
 
*Gabe Caison, Camden County, Sr.: Caison was 9-of-11 on field goals and 40-of-41 on extra points last season. He put 33 of 61 kickoffs in the end zone.
 
*Conner Deviney, Lovett, Jr.: Deviney was 9-of-11 on field goals with a long of 39 and 22-of-22 on extra points. He had 16 touchbacks. He’s the No. 11 junior kicker nationally, according to Kohl’s Kicking.
 
*Brett Fitzgerald, Colquitt County, Jr.: Fitzgerald made 13 of 14 field goal attempts with a long of 44 last season. He made MaxPreps’ preseason Junior All-America team this month. Brett’s brother, Ryan, is Florida State’s kicker.
 
*Keaton McNutt, East Coweta, Sr.: McNutt is the No. 4 long snapper nationally among seniors, according to Kohl’s Kicking, and No. 2 in Georgia. He also plays lacrosse. He committed to Auburn in June.
 
*Max Prozny, Starr’s Mill, Sr.: Prozny made eight of 10 field goal attempts last season with a long of 47. He put 25 of 41 kickoffs in the end zone and averaged 41.9 yards per punt. He’s the No. 18 senior place-kicker nationally, according to Kohl’s, and No. 1 in Georgia. Has a 4.0 GPA and offers from Georgia Southern and Georgia State.
 
*Arthur Richez, McIntosh, Sr.: Richez averaged 40.3 yards per punt and put 19 of 46 kickoffs into the end zone last season. He attempted only two field goals but made both. Richez is the No. 24 senior punting prospect nationally, according to Kohl’s.
 
*Carson Wilkie, Westminster, Sr.: Wilkie (5-10, 170) averaged 39.2 yards on 54 punts with 23 downed inside the 20, and 17 downed inside the 10 and only five touchbacks. “Opposing teams called him our most valuable player,” a Westminster coach said. He’s the No. 21 senior punter nationally, according to Kohl’s, and No. 1 in Georgia. Boston College, Miami of Ohio. Georgetown and others are recruiting him.
 
*Jay Williams, Heritage (Ringgold), Sr.: Williams is the No. 3 long snapper nationally among seniors and No. 1 in Georgia, according to Kohl’s Kicking. He's also a soccer goal keeper. Williams has an offer from Memphis, and he's been in recent contact with six major Division I programs.
Top-rated QBs
Six of Georgia’s 20 highest-rated quarterback prospects of this century are starters this season. That’s based on the 247Sports Composite ratings and making safe assumptions on one sophomore, Carrollton’s Ju Ju Lewis, who won’t have a rating until his junior year. ESPN recently named Lewis the No. 1 overall prospect regardless of year in school.
 
.9999 - Trevor Lawrence, Cartersville (2018)
.9998 - Justin Fields, Harrison (2018)
.9994 - Dylan Raiola, Buford (2024)
.9918 - Davis Mills, Greater Atlanta Christian (2017)
.9908 - Brock Vandagriff, Prince Avenue Christian (2021)
.9839 - Air Noland, Hughes (2024)
.9850 - Cam Newton, Westlake (2007)
.9794 - Deshaun Watson Gainesville (2014)
.9794 - Jake Fromm, Houston County (2017)
.9761 - Jake Garcia, Grayson (2021)
.9700 - Antwann Hill, Houston County (2025)
.9614 - Jarren Williams, Central Gwinnett (2018)
.9587 - Emory Jones, Heard County (2018)
.9586 - Jake Merklinger, Calvary Day (2024)
.9576 - Sam Horn, Collins Hill (2022)
.9555 - Harrison Bailey, Marietta (2020)
.9537 - Brice Ramsey, Camden County (2013)
.9506 - Gunner Stockton, Rabun County (2022)
.9496 - Luke Kromenkoek, Benedictine (2024)
N/A - Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis, Carrollton (2026)
GHSF Daily will select 10 games each week for the Predict the Winner contest, presented by Shuma Sports. Predictions must be submitted by 5 p.m. each Friday. Limit one entry per email address. Contest winners will be announced on Mondays at the start of each new contest and will receive an apparel prize from Shuma Sports. Click here to play!
GHSA 
Wednesday's games 
North Atlanta at Johns Creek (KH) 
Parkview at Kell 

Thursday's games 
Archer at North Forsyth (WF) 
Berkmar at Lakeside, Atl. (A) 
Carver, Atlanta at LaGrange (C) 
Cherokee Bluff at West Forsyth 
Collins Hill at Milton 
Howard at Southwest (ED) 
Jeff Davis at Charlton Co. 
KIPP Atl. Collegiate at Druid Hills (AV) 
Newton at Hapeville (B) 
Pepperell at Northwest Whitfield
Rockmart at Cedartown
Rutland at Towers (GO) 
Sav. Country Day at Windsor Forest (SV)
Union Co. at Fannin Co.

Friday's games 
ACE Charter at Crawford Co. 
Alcovy at Lithonia (HS) 
Alpharetta at Jefferson 
Appling Co. at Ware Co. 
Arabia Mountain at Jackson, Atlanta (HA) 
Armuchee at Gordon Central 
B.E.S.T. Academy at Greene Co. 
Baldwin at Peach Co. 
Banks Co. at Johnson, Gainesville 
Benedictine at Jenkins (SM) 
Berrien at Clinch Co. 
Bleckley Co. at Dodge Co. 
Bluffton, S.C. at Beach (SV) 
Bowdon at Manchester 
Bradwell Institute at Wayne Co. 
Brantley Co. at Atkinson Co. 
Brooks Co. at Thomasville 
Bryan Co. at Lincoln Co. 
Calhoun at Blessed Trinity 
Cambridge at Creekview 
Campbell at Sprayberry 
Cass at Rome 
Centennial at Wheeler 
Central, Macon at Westside, Macon (ED) 
Central, Talbotton at Pataula Charter 
Central Gwinnett at Discovery 
Chamblee at South Cobb 
Chattooga at LaFayette 
Cherokee at Cartersville 
Chestatee at Hebron Christian 
Christian Acad., Tenn. at Darlington 
Christian Heritage at North Cobb Christ. 
Coahulla Creek at Murray Co. 
Columbia at Camden Co. 
Cook at Pelham 
Coosa at Southeast Whitfield 
Crisp Co. at Dooly Co. 
Cross Creek at Butler 
Cross Keys at Walker 
Dade Co. at Athens Academy 
Dalton at North Murray 
Dawson Co. at Jackson Co. 
Decatur at Flowery Branch 
Dougherty at Westover (M) 
Douglass at Mays (L) 
Eagle's Land. Christ. at Bainbridge 
East Paulding at Woodland, Cartersville 
Elbert Co. at Hart Co. 
Evans at North Augusta, S.C. 
Fayette Co. at McIntosh 
Fitzgerald at Irwin Co. 
Forsyth Central at Chattahoochee 
Franklin Co. at Madison Co. 
Gordon Lee at Trion 
Greenbrier at Harlem 
Greenville at Spencer (OS) 
Griffin at Ola 
Hancock Central at Glenn Hills 
Haralson Co. at Rabun Co. 
Hardaway at Carver, Columbus (CM) 
Harris Co. at Troup (C) 
Harrison at South Paulding 
Hawkinsville at Portal 
Hayesville, N.C. at Towns Co. 
Heard Co. at Bremen 
Holy Innocents' at Pace Academy 
Hughes at Carrollton 
Islands at Calvary Day 
Jasper Co. at Walnut Grove 
Jefferson Co. at Aquinas 
Kendrick at Seminole Co. 
Kennesaw Mountain at Creekside (BA) 
Lake Oconee Acad. at George Walton
Lakeside, Evans at Aiken, S.C. 
Lakeview-Ft. Ogle. at Gilmer 
Landmark Christian at Rockdale Co. 
Laney at Strom Thurmond, S.C. 
Lanier Co. at Bacon Co. 
Lassiter at Etowah 
Locust Grove at McDonough
Loganville at Monroe Area 
Lovett at Westminster 
Luella at Eastside (SH) 
M.L. King at Duluth 
Macon Co. at Whitefield Academy 
Marist at Gainesville 
McIntosh Co. Acd. at Johnson, Sav. (IH) 
Meadowcreek at Greater Atlanta Christian 
Midland Valley, S.C. at Grovetown 
Midtown at Mount Paran Christian 
Miller Co. at Early Co. 
Miller Grove at Tucker (A) 
Model at Cherokee Co., Ala. 
Monroe at Mitchell Co. 
Mountain View at Shiloh 
Mt. Pisgah at Fellowship Christian 
Mt. Zion, Jonesboro at Jonesboro (T) 
Mundy's Mill at Lovejoy (TO) 
New Manchester at Woodland, Stock. 
North Paulding at Allatoona 
North Springs at Dunwoody (ND) 
Northside, Col. at Columbus (K) 
Northview at McNair (AV) 
Oconee Co. at North Oconee 
Oglethorpe Co. at East Jackson 
Osborne at Woodstock 
Paulding Co. at Hiram 
Pike Co. at Temple 
Prince Ave. Christian at Hammond, S.C. 
Providence Christian at St. Francis 
Redan at Central, Carrollton 
Richmond Academy at Veterans (PH) 
Richmond Hill at Effingham Co. 
Ringgold at Heritage, Ringgold 
River Ridge at Hillgrove 
Riverwood at Alexander 
Roswell at Denmark 
Salem at Heritage, Conyers 
Savannah at Josey 
Sav. Christian at Hilton Head Christ., S.C. 
Seckinger at Peachtree Ridge 
Sequoyah at Lambert 
Shaw at Marion Co. 
Social Circle at Morgan Co. 
Sonoraville at Pickens 
South Atlanta at Southwest DeKalb (GO) 
South Forsyth at Lanier 
South Gwinnett at Pebblebrook 
Southeast Bulloch at Liberty Co. 
Southside Christ., S.C. at Commerce 
Spalding at Eagle's Landing 
St. Frances, Md. at Buford 
St. Pius at Dacula 
Statesboro at Glynn Academy 
Stephens Co. at Habersham Central 
Stone Mountain at Chapel Hill 
Sumter Co. at Houston Co. (FF) 
Swainsboro at Metter 
Tattnall Co. at Claxton 
Taylor Co. at Southland Academy 
Thomas Co. Central at Cairo 
Thomson at Burke Co. 
Tift Co. at Coffee 
Toombs Co. at Long Co. 
Treutlen at Jenkins Co. 
Tri-Cities at Hampton 
Trinity Christian at Woodward Academy 
Turner Co. at Worth Co. 
Upson-Lee at Union Grove 
Valdosta at Massillon, Ohio 
Vidalia at South Effingham 
Warner Robins at Lee Co. 
Warren Co. at Glascock Co. 
Washington at Banneker 
Washington-Wilkes at East Laurens 
Wesleyan at Mount Vernon 
West Hall at East Hall 
Westlake at North Cobb 
Westside, Augusta at Hephzibah 
Wheeler Co. at GMC Prep 
White Co. at North Hall 
Wilcox Co. at Lamar Co. 
Wilkinson Co. at Dublin 
Winder-Barrow at Apalachee

Saturday's games 
Brookwood at McEachern (MB) 
Cedar Grove at Dutchtown (MC) 
Christ School, N.C. at Lowndes (CC) 
Clarke Central at Cedar Shoals 
Douglas Co. at Stockbridge (MC) 
Dutch Fork, S.C. at Colquitt Co. 
East Coweta at Starr's Mill (NH) 
Forest Park at Morrow 
Jones Co. at Northside, W.R. (MU) 
Norcross at Marietta (MB) 
North Gwinnett at Mill Creek (MB) 
Northeast at Mary Persons (MU) 
Riverdale at North Clayton (SC) 
Sandy Creek at Newnan 
Stephenson at Lithia Springs (MC) 
Walton at Grayson (MB) 
Whitewater at Northgate (NH) 

GIAA/GAPPS 
Thursday’s game 
Pinewood Christian at Robert Toombs

Friday’s games 
Augusta Prep at Bethlehem Christian 
Brentwood at John Milledge 
Bulloch Academy at Tiftarea Academy 
Calvary Christian at Cherokee Christian 
Creekside Christ. at Loganville Christian 
Deerfield-Windsor at Westfield 
Fullington Acad. at Aucilla Christian, Fla. 
Georgia Christian at Flint River Academy 
Lake Oconee Acad. at George Walton
Lakeview Academy at King’s Ridge 
Mount de Sales at Strong Rock Christian 
Palmetto Christian, S.C. at Memorial Day 
Rock Springs at Central Fellowship 
Skipstone Academy at Lanier Christian 
St. Andrew’s at Thomas Jefferson Acad. 
St. Anne-Pacelli at Glenwood 
Tattnall Square at Schley Co. 
Taylor Co. at Southland Academy 
Terrell Academy at Southwest Georgia 
Trinity Christian, Dublin at Piedmont Acd. 

Stadium abbreviations: (A) Adams; (AV) Avondale; (B) Banneker High School; (BA) Barron; (C) Callaway; (CC) Colquitt County High School; (CM) Columbus Memorial; (ED) Ed Defore; (FF) Freedom Field; (GO) Godfrey; (HA) Henderson, Atlanta; (HS) Hallford; (IH) Islands High School; (K) Kinnett; (KH) Kell High School; (L) Lakewood; (M) Mills; (MB) Mercedes-Benz; (MC) Morehouse College; (MU) Mercer University; (ND) North DeKalb; (NH) Newnan High School; (OS) Odis Spencer; (PH) Perry High School; (SC) Southern Crescent; (SH) Sharp; (SM) Savannah Memorial; (SV) Savannah High School; (T) Tara; (TO) Twelve Oaks; (WF) West Forsyth High School
Join the GFCA today! The GACA/GFCA has new membership options for your school for the 2023-2024 school year. You can now join all coaches/all sports in your high school and middle school for one discounted price depending on your school’s classification: GISA, A, 2A and 3A for $1,000; 4A for $1,250; 5A for $1,500; 6A for $2,000; and 7A for $2,500. For more information call or text 770-578-6366 or email Craig Davis by clicking here.
Today’s interviewee is GHSA associate director Jay Russell, whose most visible duty is coordinating football. He took over that role from Kevin Giddens this year. Russell was a longtime football coach and school administrator who worked previously for the GHSA before stepping away in 2018. He is a son of former Georgia and Georgia Southern football coach Erk Russell.
 
Jay Russell, GHSA associate director
1. What made you decide to rejoin the GHSA? “I really enjoyed my time at GHSA from 2014 to 2017. I had the opportunity to reconnect with a lot of people I had not communicated with in years. It was a challenging position, but at the same time I had a lot of fun. Also, I loved all the people I worked with in the office. They were and still are all as good as gold.”
 
2. What are your responsibilities in the football part of your job? “I am a work in progress and still trying to figure some things out. My predecessor, Kevin Giddens, has been extremely helpful. I guess you could say I have my hands in a little bit of everything – officials, coaches, rules, scheduling, playoffs, sportsmanship, game management, heat policies, video review, etc. So far, I have focused more on the officials component through attending camps, being on Zooms and so forth. I have never dealt with this aspect at GHSA, so it is a learning process, and believe me, I have learned a lot. I have apologized to many an official since being back for my behavior or lack of when I was a coach many years ago. I have a tremendous new-found appreciation for the job they do. Coaching has changed so much in the last 10 years. It has become an 18-hour, 365-day job. I wish they could be awarded some relief. I have so much respect for the noble profession.”
 
3. One stressor is always having officials at every game, and we’ve been told of a couple of games this week moved to Thursday this week because of the officials shortage. What can you say to educate fans as well as coaches and school officials about where things stand with officials? “From all indications, interest in officiating is progressing in the right direction for football. Hopefully, the return to six classifications in the next reclassification cycle will enable the GHSA to play all of our playoff games on Fridays once again. Officiating took a hard hit during COVID, but numbers are trending up, which is great news. Sometimes we do have to make changes in order to cover all of the games, as is the case for this weekend. Opening week is stressful but more so exciting.”
 
4. Is there a frequent question that you get regarding how football operates, or something you'd like to let coaches or fans know? “Not really. As I said before, the game has really evolved, and for the most part the evolution is a positive. Football is still the ultimate team contest, in my mind, with all of its moving parts. I look forward to visiting lots of different venues this season and enjoying the fierce competition. I feel extremely blessed to be back at GHSA in my current position.”
 
Dickey Broadcasting Company’s Sports Radio 680 The Fan & Southern Sports Today Network along with the GHSA present the 2023 Georgia High School Football Scoreboard Show. The program will feed live from the studios of 680 The Fan and Southern Sports Today on Friday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight starting Aug. 18 and running through Nov. 10. The show will be distributed in partnership with Sky View Networks and available online at Southernsportstoday.com. Talent hosts are 680 The Fan’s Steve West, Chris Mooneyham and Justin Hanover, and the show will include the latest scores and interviews with coaches and play-by-play announcers statewide. Download the 680 The Fan and XTRA 106.3 app to listen from anywhere.
Visit our website throughout the season for updated standings in all eight classifications
Note: All scores are courtesy of the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other media outlets. If a score is not accurate, it was reported incorrectly.

All games are on Fridays unless noted. All game schedules are subject to change.
Stadium key: A - Adams; B - Banneker High School; BA - Barron; CC - Colquitt County High School; FF - Freedom Field; GL - Glynn County; KH - Kell High School; MB - Mercedes-Benz; MC - Morehouse College; MU - Mercer University; ND - North DeKalb; NH - Newnan High School; PH - Perry High School; T - Tara; TO - Twelve Oaks; WF - West Forsyth High School
Six-time state-winning basketball coach writes book
“The Life and Times of Hall of Fame Coach David Boyd” covers over 40 years of coaching and teaching experiences with many inspirational stories from David Boyd, the only Georgia basketball coach with state championships at four schools (Campbell, Tucker, Berkmar, Milton). He won six state titles overall. Boyd was inducted into the GACA Hall of Fame this year. The book is for players, coaches and basketball fans. There are detailed descriptions of several iconic Georgia high school rivalry games. You can find the book by clicking here and purchase it for $14.99 on Amazon. All proceeds go to Brunswick High boys basketball.
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About Us
Georgia High School Football Daily is a free e-mail newsletter produced and owned by Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye. Holcomb is a former lead high school football writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and co-founder of the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. Saye is a 38-year veteran of the newspaper industry who has covered high school sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Athens Banner-Herald, Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail and Gwinnett Daily News.